Valve device



Dec' 26, i J. C. V I.

VALVE 'DEVICE Original Filed April 30, 1943 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 IS :e

Ela I Control, PLpe\ /ll 'Ve nt Valve Mmm \\`7/////// BEL-fm, Topllot valves i 'QAM e I i' To control pl. pe

ATTOR NEY Dec. 26, .1944. J. c. MccuNE 2,366,044

' VALVE-DEVICE l l Original Filed April 30,l 1943 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 uom ses 63184 E OLI LeveL INVENTOR ATTORNEY Dec. 26, 1944. J. c. M'ccu'NE 2,366,044

'VALVE DEVICE4 Original Filed April 30, 1943 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR Y ATTORNEY.

Patented Deaze, 1944 asseoir vALvEDnvIcii d Joseph C. `McGune, Edgewood, Pa.,oassignor to n The Westinghouse Air Brake CompanypWilmerding`Pa.,"a corporation of lltennsylvana y Original'application"April30, 1943, SerialNo. 485,130. Divided and this application February 24,11944, `Serial No. `5235650 '1 l e y i claims. tot 30a-69.)

- Thisinventionrelatestc valve devices andfhas particular"relation to valve devices suitableforl` use in connection with apparatus for detecting the slipping condition of the wheels of `vehicles Asucliasrailwa-y cars andtrains, for thetpurpose t of controllingthe pressure inl the ibrake cylinders ofthe fluid pressure brakefsystem on the vehicle in amanner tc preventsliding `of the wheels. 'The present :application isla division of myiprircopending `application `Serial No. 485,130, iiled -April 3U, 1943, and assignedtothe sameassigne'e as isA the pfesentlplication.

The term fslidingf as employed herein injcon- `nection with 4carri-wheels, "refers to the locked or non-rotativecondition of therjwheels caused by excessive brakingwith relation tothe adhesion i between the wheels andthe track `rails at a e l'time when the car isfin` motioni The terin slip` 1 pingor fslippingrconditionf as employedhere- 'in in connection with `ca'rwheels, refers to the `rotation. of the car `wheels ata speed diierent from that correspondingto vehicle `speeclat a given instant. During a slipping condition, the

"with a'novel type of'wvalve device `for eiectingfa reduction 'of thepressure' `in the brake cylinder i Wheelreturnstona speedic'orresponding toyehicle speed.

' `It has been `demonstratedthat if the pressure in a brake cylinder `is reducedpromptly; and

`rapidly at the Vtime that a wheel begins to `slip, j the wheels will cease to g decelerate `and accelerate back toward a speed corresponding tozvehicle t speed without actuallymeducing sufficiently in `speed to attainrfalocked or sliding condition. t 'fMy presentinventionxis accordinglyvconcerned associated `with a slipping vehicle wheel, `and n `characterizedfin that itinsuresxthe reduction of 315i` the pressure inthe Vbrake cylinder to `below a e certainvalue before permitting therestoration ci fthe supplyofiiuid under pressure backtolthe rotationalspeed of the wheel `mayexceed that than that correspondingto `vehicle speed, de` pending upon whether thefcondition is induced byexcessive propulsion `torque or excessive braking torquerespectively. v

It is Well known `that whenever avehicle Wheel,

such asa railwaycar wheel, exceeds a certain rate of rotative deceleration, such asthat corresponding toa rate oferetardation ofthe car of` ten miles per hour per second, itis a positive indicationthat the wheel is in a slippingcondition. H

Various devices oi an electrical orniechanical` l nature havebeen devised and employed for recognizing the slipping condition of a car wheelon thefbasis of the rate of deceleration ofthe wheels prising a y-wheel that is so constructedfand arranged as`to shiftrotatively relative to avfve- `h'icle wheell in au leading*direction` to a degree varying substantially proportionally tothe rate g e :of deceleration ofthe wheels.,`

Varioustypes of valve devices Vhavebeen pro` posed and employed in connection with wheelslip detectingdevices for the purpose of rapidly v 4reducing; `the pressure in the brake cylinder asso.

ciatedwitha wheel that begins to slip to-pre- `vent sliding thereon and for subsequently restoring the `"pressure therein after `the slipping cf the brakes,` f i a t l The principle e ci: 'controlling 'the `pressure `of i `fluid `in the brake cylinder so` asftocause it Ato y y `be reducedbelowa' certain value before permit- `ting the resupply cf'fluid to the brake cylinder underthecontrol `ofl wheel-slip detecting devices hasbeen4 previously "proposedand dlsclosed in t corresponding to vehicle speed crit may be less @..25

brake cylinder and the consequent rie-application prior patents such as,` for example, Patent 2,198,029 `and Patentl2,198t030 to "ClydeQ Ilai'n'iel.`

It is an object ci mypresent invention, hcwe ever, to provide asuitable valve device which may" be pneumatically` controlled and automatically effective in response to a momentary pneumatic `control impulse fort` the purpose of effecting the `reduction of pressure in a fluid pressure receiving device to below a certain pressure before restore` ingthe supply communication to theldevice.

The above objectand-other objects of my invention which will be made apparent herein- `during a slipping condition. One cf such met chanical devices is ofthe rotary inertia typecornafter,` are attained inan embodiment of iny invention described hereinafter" and illustrated in connection with associated fluid pressure brake control and wheel-slip accompanying drawings wherein Fig. 1 is ansimplifled diagrammaticA view of a iluid pressure brake control apparatus applied to a single four-wheel truck, i

I FigLZ is an emerged sectional view illustrating d the improvedvalve mechanism `comprising my "present invention and employedin theapparatus a Fig. 3`is4 an` enlarged sectional, View showing `theyconstruction ot the Wheel-slip detecting de-` vice"with"rwhich my novel valve mechanism is associated;` l

l lig andFlg. are secticnaLviews, taken on a NT OFFICE detecting apparatus in the the lines 4-4 and 5-5 respectively of Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, showing further details of the wheelslip detecting device.

Description While the valve device comprising my present invention has utilityl in connection with other situations, it is designed for and intended for use principally in connection with fluid pressure operated brakes for railway cars and trains. It will be understood further that my novelvalve device is intended to be utilized and operated in connection particularly with that type of fluid pressure brake equipment for railway carscoin-l monly referred to as the HSC equipment for high speed trains. For simplicity, I have, however, disclosed in the drawings a simplified fluid pressure brake control apparatus of the straight air type including a train \pipe II made up of longitudinal sections on each car of the train connected from car to` car by theusual hose couplings I2, a brake valve I3 of the self-lapping type for controlling the pressure in the pipe II which willbe hereinafterreferred to as the control pipe, and a reservoir I4 normally charged with iiuid under pressure, as by a uid leading to the brake cylinder I1. The 'pipe or 'conduit I9 is flexible in character because the respectively, through a flexible pipe or conduit 23 having two branches 23a and 23D leading respectively to the two different wheel-slip detecting devices 22. The pipes or conduits 23, 23a, and 23h are flexible in character in View of the relative movement between the non-spring-supported or unsprung wheel and axle units and spring-supported or sprung portion of the truck frame carrying the vent valve mechanism I8.

compresser not shown, and constituting the ,which control pipe II is vented to atmosphere through a branch pipe I5 and an exhaust port and pipe I6. When the brake valve handle I3a is shifted out of the brake release position in one direction into an application zone, the valve mechanism of the brake valve is operated to cause"` uid under pressure to. be supplied from the reservoirv I4 through the pipe I5 to charge the control pipe I I to a pressure corresponding substantially to the degree of displacement of the brake valve handle I 3a out of its brakerelease posi-y tion. If the pressure in the control pipe II tends to reduce for any reason, such as leakage or for other reasons hereinafter made apparent, the self-lapping valve mechanism of the brake valve operates automatically to maintain a supply of fluid under pressure from reservoir I4 to the control pipe I I to maintain a pressure corresponding to the position of the brake v valve handle.

The fluid pressure brake control apparatus isA shown in Fig. 1 as applied to a four-wheelk car truck having two separately rotating wheel and axle units, one wheel` I6 of each unit being shown.

A standard brake cylinder I1 is provided for operating the usualbrake shoes, associated with the vehicle wheels I6, through the medium of conventional brake rigging and brake levers, the brakes shoes and brake rigging being omitted from the drawings'for simplicity.

According to my invention, a so-called vent valve mechanism I8 is4 provided for controlling thel connection betweenthe control pipe II and the brake cylinder I1 in a manner hereinafter more fully explained. Briefly, however,v the vent valve mechanism I8 normally 'provides a com- `muication between a branch conduit or pipe I9 hereinafter referredto as the brake cylinder pipe As will be explained more fully hereinafter, Whenever either of the wheel-slip detecting devices 22 operates in response to the slipping condition of the corresponding wheel unit, the vent valve mechanism I8 is correspondinglyoperated to first cut-off the communication between the control pipe II and the brake cylinder I1 and then effect a continued, rapid reduction 0f the pressure in the brake cylinder I1 until the pressure in the brake cylinder I1 reduces below a Vcertain low pressure, such as eight pounds per square inch. The vent valve mechanism 'I8 thereafter operates automatically to restore the communication between the control pipe II and the brake cylinder I1 to effect the resupply of fluid under pressure to the brake cylinder and a consequent re-application of the brakes.

Referring to Fig. 3, each wheel slip detecting device or rotary inertia device 22 is mounted lwithin a sectionalized casing comprising an annular end plate 25 and end cover 26. The end plate' 25 is secured as by a plurality of screws 21 to the outer end of a removable adapter ring or casing 28 which is in turn', `attached as by a plurality of bolts or rscrews 28a tothe outer end .of the-standard axle journal casing 2827. rIhe .end cover 26 is substantially circular in form and is provided with four circumferentially spaced flanges 29 through which a plurality of screws or bolts 3| extend to secure the end cover to the end plate 25 which is of corresponding outer contour.

The rotary inertia device itself comprises an annular inertia ring or fly-wheel 32, the outerv rim of which is joined through an `intervening web 33 to a central hub 34. Hub 34 is rotatively mounted or journaled on a. spindle 35, attached to the end of the axle in the manner more fully described presently, by means of two ball bearing'races 36 disposed in axially spaced relation within -the hub 34.

The spindle 35 is a fabricated member as shown, but it may be an integral casting if desired. As shown, the spindle 35 comprises a securing flange. or disk 38 having a central bore or hole of circular or polygonal contour 39 in which one end of a tubular member 4I is received, and a. plurality of angularly spaced Supporting webs 42 suitably welded to the tubular member 4I and the disk 38 for maintaining the tubular member 4I in rigid perpendicular relation to the disk 38.

The disk 38 of the spindle 35 is provided with a suitable circular recess 38a on the outer face thereof in which the outer end of the axle 43 is received and is xed to the axle by a plurality of screws 44 extending through suitable holes in the disk into registering tapped holes in the end the axle `43, Vthe tubular'me'mber 42|? oi the `spindle of the axle. `Iher-spindleS-S2 thus rotates with being in coaxial relation to the axle.

`im annular cil-sealing disk 4o havinga centrati 2 hole thereinis fitted over the tubular member IH of spindle35' and secured, as byapin M extending therethrough into one or more of the Iwebs 42, for rotation with the spindle#` The disk Mois: of shallow dish shape so that the outerrim thereof is cylindrical `in term: and parallel to the axis'ofrotation of the tubular member: 4I of the y spindle. `The rim ot the oil-sealing disk `lli extends partially into an annular cavity 48 formed y inthe faceof the end plate 25:. y l l rlhe hub34 ofthe ny-wheel 32 extends into a ,l `central circular opening in the end plate 25,

slightly largerin diameter than the outerwdiaml 2 d a tee-and :so nog. 4.)- securedtothe web sa of `the ily-wheel32 .betweenthe shoulders 66a kand 66h and inthe pl-'anethereoi `is a :stop lug comprising a pin ltzrivetedto the Web and hav..

ing a rubber bushing 59 thereoncovered by a protecting sheet metal ring 1 I The total degree oi rotative 'movement of the ily-wheel 32 with rel spect to the spindle 35wis thus Vdetermined by the amount of rotative `movenxent `occurring between the engagement of the stop lugbythe shoulder 66a andntlzie` engagementiof the stop lug by the eter ofthe riunita. this central opening in` the end plate 25 are a plurality `oi axially `spaced annular ribs f l The ribs 5t function in cooperation with the sealing disk Mi and annular cavity iri the endpl-ate :as an oil-sealto. prevent the entrance of lubricating oil from the `cham-ber 53, within the adapter'ring 28 and axle journal casing 28o into the chamber 524 on the adapter Aring 2d. It is necessary, thereiorato preventthe entrance of oil into the chamber 5'4" in orderto prevent an accumulation; of oil in chamber 54 toa level such that the loiverpoi'-,

tion of the ily-wheel 32 would run in oil, inasmuch as this would interfere with the proper operation of the Wheel-slip detecting device.

For ease of assembly and disassemblygthe inner bearing ring of the bearing races 3B supporting theily-wheel 32 on spindle 35 hasan internally threaded `sleeve 5l extending there through which screwsonthe outer threaded portion of the tubular member 4| ofspindle 35 to a end oi' thewebs 42. `Sleeve 5l has an annular shoulder 58 at one end and a snap ring 5-9`at shoulder 65h; 2 y l Secured,` as "by, riveting to the; web 33 of the ilygwheel 32, are two circumferentially spaced arouate? cams 24 andi` '1.5,` respectively. The free ends of'` thecanris is rigidly supported against denection by aV bracket 14a or 15a welded thereto y and attached as byi'vets tothe web of the ily` wheel 321 Cooperating with the cams 14 `and l5*` is an operating lever` 118 of channel-shape whichxis disposedradijallywith.respect to the axis of rotationofspindle and is pivoted. at a point between the ends` thereofwon a pin l1 :carried in aV lugl that is` attached to the stop disk 6B as by welding.` Theuouter end of the lever '|16 `has a roller T9 rotatively mountedthereon for engaging the inner cam surfaces onthe cams y'lll and revolution of the balls ot the ball bearing `races` 15,. as shown particularly in Figs. 3 and 5.`

l The peripheralfor` angular spacing between the cams 14 and 'l5 is suehjthatthe ily-Wheel rotative'ly floats normally between the cams; through a predetermined-angle `which is sufficient to cause 36 through atleast one comple-te revolution. This specific arrangement is a particular feature of `my invention and its purpose visto` uniformally distribute the wear on Vthe balls oi the ball bearing races and, insure adequatejlubrication of the position clamping the oil-seal ring i6 `against the 2 2balls to minimizewear on the balls. 2 2 2 A The inner end` of thepivoted leverlt termi-` nates adjacent the outer end of thek tubular memloer` 4l of spindle 35 substantially at the axis of` rotation otspindle-B and has a hole therein Vthrough which a rod 8l extends into the central bore 4 Iaof theI tubular member# I L A coil' spring 83 contained in the` bore 41a in concentric relay tion to the rodhlll is interposedbetween the key theother end for holding the sleeve 51 in assem- 2 bled relation with the bearing races 36. i

The ily-wheel 32 is thus installed and removed from thewspindle 35 by screwing the sleeve 5l on the threaded portion ofthe tubular member of the spindle 35 without disturbing `or removing the end plate `25; Consequently it is notnecessary to drain cilfrom the axle `journal casing in order to remo-ve the ily-wheel for inspection or repair. l

`Thesleeve 5l has four slots El spaced around the `end thereof which` are adapted' to register with correspondingly spaced `slots 62 in the end of the tubular portion 4l of the spindle 35,` the sleeve 5l being locked on the tubular portion 4I of the spindle 35 by means of a keytt, in the form` of a Maltese cross,2having four arms adapted to be receivedin the registering slots l'il` and 622.,` FigA.)

A stop disk 66, the purpose of which Willbe explained presently, `having a'central hole is sei cured on the sleeve 5l outside the shoulder 58,

2 A snap ring 64, cooperating with an annular `groove on the outer surfaceof :2 y the sleeve 5l, holds the `key 63 in position.

t al is such that the piveted lever is is normally Briand a collar 84, `xed` on the end ofthe rod 8|; tol urge v the rod` normally in an t axial direction toward the axle 43.

Thev rod 8| has an. enlarged portion or head 85 at the endthereof which engages the inner end of the pivoted lever 16 and the length of the rod pivotally biased` 11o-the` position `determined by the engagement of the lever withlthe end or the tubular `portion 4I of spindle 35, in which .the rol-ler 'I9 is in the alignment ywith the base` of the inclinedcam surfaceswon the cams 14 and 15, as shown inFig. 3.0 l

When the tty-Wheel 32 shiftsrotatively` in one .directionrrwithrespect tothe spindle 35idu`e to deceleration or `acceleration of theaxle t3, the

rollerl on the lever TS engages the correspond-` ing one of the cam surfaces on the cams lll and l5, and depending upon the rateofdeceleration or acceleration of `the axle 43, is correspondingly pivoted in a right-hand direction as seen in Fig. 3` in opposition to the force of spring 53, which is correspondingly compressed. l l

The spring 823 `is `so designed' that unless the axle 43. rotatively decelerates at alrate exceeding atcertainlrate, corresponding to a rate of` retarda-` tion of the car of ten miles per hour per,` second,

the pumger er roc sl `is not shifted eppreeiebiy ini i the left-hand .direction by the pivotal movement of the lever 1E. In view of the fact, previously explained, that a car wheel does not attain` a rate of deceleration, corresponding to a rate of retardation of the car of ten miles per` hour per ,seco-nd, unless the wheel is actually slipping, it

will be seen that the rod 8| is not shifted appreciably in the left-hand direction out of the position 'shownunless the wheels xed-on the axle 43 are actually slipping. 1 i

If the axle 43 rotatively decelerates at a rate exceeding that corresponding to a retardation of the car of ten miles Der hour per second, the rod 8| is shifted sufficiently in the left-hand direction out of the normal position shown to engage the operating plunger 81 of a`pilot valve device 88 embodied in a casing section 89 attached to the outer .face of the casing section 28, which pilot valve device will now be described.

Essentially, the pilot valve device 88 comprises a poppet valve 99 contained in a chamber 9| and urged into seated relation on a seat lbushing 92 by a coil spring 93 interposed between the valve and a screw plug 94 closing the opening of the chamber 9| to the exterior of the casing.

A passage 95 is open at one end to the chamber 9| and at the opposite end to the exterior of the casing 89. The corresponding pipe 23a or 23h leading from the vent valve mechanism |8 is connected to the outer end of the passage 95, as

by a screw connection.

The valve 98 has a uted stem 9S that is guided in the seat bushing 92 and projects into the chamber 54 of the casing section 26.

The valve 90 is unseated by movement of the operating plunger 81 through an intervening lever 91. The lever 91 is of channel shape and is pivotally mounted between the ends thereof on 'a pin 98 supported in a bracket member 99 that is attached to the inner face of thecasing section 89, as by screws not shown.

A portion of the web of the lever 91 is cut away and the side anges spread apart `to form a yoke that straddles the plunger 81 which is tubular in form. The ends of the `yoke arms or side flanges of the lever 91 are suitably rounded to form substantially a point contact with the side surface of a radially extending collar |82 formed on or attached to the external surface of the plunger 81.

The plunger 81 is slidably supported at one end in a bore |83 in the casing section 89 and at the opposite end in a hole |84 in a portion of the wall of the casing section 28, the longitudinal axis of the plunger coinciding with the axis of rotation of axle 43 and the axis of rod 3|. The inner end of the plunger 81 projects into the chamber 54 and is closed to provide a rounded contact head. A coil spring |85 contained within the tubular plunger 81 and interposed between the closed end thereof and the casing section 89 normally yieldingly biases the plunger in the right-hand direction to a position determined by the engagement of the collar |92 with the casing section 28. In this position the inner rounded contact end of the plunger 81 has a slight clear'- ance with respect to the head 85 on the operating rod 8|. i

A toggle pin |98, secured to the web of the lever 91, has a pointed end engaged in a conical recess on the inner end of the fluted stem of the valve 99 and is thus eiective to transmit the force exerted by the lever 91 `to the valve 99 to effect unseating thereof. 'I'he toggle pin adjusts itself automatically to the angular. position of the lever 91 so that the force exerted by the lever to unseat the valve 98 is always in a straight line coincident with the axis of the iluted stem of the valve. Consequently, there is Ano tendency at any time to cause cooking of the valve 90 on its seat and unintended and undesired leakage of uid under pressure past the valve 90 from the passage 95 is thus prevented.

In order to balance -the force of the fluid pressure in the passage 95 urging the valve 9|) to its seated position and resisting the unseating thereof, a movable abutment shown as a flexible diaphragm is provided for exerting a counterbalancing erY balancing eiect. This abutment may take the form of a piston, if desired. The

diaphragm shown is of suitable ilexible rubber and is clamped around the periphery thereof between the bracketmember 99 and the casing section 89. Two cavities or chambers |09 and Ill), preferably circular in cross-section, are provided in the bracket member 99 and the casing section 89 on opposite sides of the diaphragm the chamber |||l communicating with the passage 95 through a branch passage ||4 sol that the diaphragm is subject on one face thereof to the pressure of the fluid in the passage 95 moving it in a right-hand direction.

A follower pin ||2 is loosely guided in the bracket 99 in perpendicular relation tothe center of the diaphragm, a suitableA head on the pin engaging the face `of the diaphragm within the chamber |89. Chamber |89 is thus connected to atmosphere and the corresponding face of diaphragm open to chamber |09 is thus always subject to atmospheric pressure. The end of the follower pin ||2 is suitably rounded for engaging a contact lug ||3 attached, as by welding, to the web of the lever 91 at a point on the opposite side of the fulcrum pin 98 relative to the toggle pin |06.

It will accordingly be seen that the force exerted on the lever 91 by the fluid pressure acting on the diaphragm urges the'lever in a yclockwise direction and in opposition to the force of spring 93 and of the flLL'd pressure in chamber 9! holding the valve 90 seated. The arrangement is such that the eiective force exerted by the diaphragmtol unseat valve 99 is slightly less than the fluid pressure force and the force of the spring 93 holding the valve 90 seated.

By reason of the arrangement above described, it will be apparent that a relatively light force is required to rock the pivoted lever 91 in a clockwise direction to effect unseating of the valve 99. This is desirable because of the magnitude of the forces available'to shift the operating rod 8| in a left-hand directioni Moreover, it is intended that the position of the operating rod 8| accurately reflects the rate of change of rotational speed of the axle 43. It is desirable, therefore, tof avoid adding a substantial resisting force to the displacement of the operating rod 8| in the left-hand direction for the reason that such resisting force would prevent the rod 8| assuming a position corresponding to the rate of change of'speed of the axle 43.

It is furthermore desirable that the valve 99 be unseated promptly in response to a rate of rotative deceleration of the axle 43 reilecting a wheel-slip condition. Consequently, it is desirable that the force required to unseat the valve 98 be relatively small so as not to delay valve |42 unseated upwardly from its seat'bushing |55. With the valves |4| and |42 thus unseated, chamber |38 is connected through' the passage |65 to the chamber I3|, thereby causing the fluid pressure in the chamber |38 to reduce in accordance with reduction of the pressure in the chamber |3| and the connected brake cylinder l1.

The piston valve |22 is thus maintained in its uppermost position by the pressure of the fluid in the chamber |32 acting on the underside of the piston |23 as long as the control valve |42 is unseated. When the uid pressure in the chamber |53 active on the lower face of the diaphragm |6| reduces to a low Value, such as eighteen pounds per square inch, the force exerted by spring |56 becomes effective to reseat f the valve |42. With the valve |42 seated, the fluid under `pressure supplied through the choke |35 from rthe"""supply pipe I9 and chamber |32 results in a build-up of pressure in the chamber |38 assisting the spring |39 and eiective to promptly shift the piston valve |22 downtime, the reduction of brake cylinder pressure continues and at the time piston |24 cuts olii further reduction in brake cylinder pressure, the brake cylinder'pressure will have reduced further to a value such as eight pounds per square inch. The spring |48 accordingly acts to reseat the poppet valve |4| and is of suicient strength to maintain it seated in 'opposition to the pressure of fluid in the chamber |38 acting on its inner seated area. v

With the piston Valve |22 restored toits normal position shown in Fig. 2, the supply cornmunication between the pipe I9 and the brake cylinder pipe 2| is again established through the ports |33, and the pressure in the brake cylinder is thus again built-up in accordance with the pressure established in the control pipe Upon restoration of pressure in thebrake cylinder |1, control valve |42 is unseated due to the brake cylinder. pressure acting in passage |65 on its inner seated area. Chamber |53 is thus charged to al pressure corresponding to brake cylinderrpressure and such pressure acting on diaphragm |6| overcomes the force of spring |56 and compresses it upwardly.` Spring |51 is thus rendered effective again to hold valve |42 unseated. The fluid pressure from chamber |53 acts in bore |44 to assist in maintaining valve |4| seated.

It will thus be seen that when the pressure of the fluid in the chamber |38 is suddenly reduced by operation of a pilot valve device 88 of either of the wheel-slip detecting devices 22, the pressure of the fluid in the brake cylinder |1 is thereafter automatically rst reduced to a predetermined low pressure and then restored to the value corresponding to the pressure established in the control pipe Operation Let it be assumed that the car having the appaand that the operator-desires' to apply the brakes to bring the car to a stop.` To do so the operator first shuts off the propulsion power and then shifts the brake valve handle |3a` out of its brake release position into its application zone an amount corresponding to the desired degree of brake application.

The control pipe I is accordingly charged to a pressurev corresponding to the position of the brake valve handle in its application zone, such as forty pounds per square inch. At the same time, fluid under pressure from the control pipe flows through the pipe I8, vent valve mechanism I8 and pipe 2| to the brake cylinder |1, the pressure established Vin the brake cylinder thus corresponding to the pressure established in the control pipe The brakes are accordingly applied to the car Wheels I6 to ardegree corresponding to the pressure of ktheiluid in the brake cylinder |1. v

As long as the wheels I6 do not'slip, the operator may vary the degree of brake application by increasing .or decreasing the 'pressure in the control pipe Il, the pressure in the brake cylinder |1 Varying in accordance with the pressure in the control pipe by reason of the normal connection maintained between the branch pipe I8 and the brake cylinder pipe 2| through the vent valve mechanism |8.

If', however, upon application of the brakes in the manner just described, one of the wheel units begins to slip, a further operation occurs which will now be described. When the axle 43 of the slipping wheel unit is rotatively decelerated at spindle 35, and the roller 19 on the lever 16 rides` up the inclined surfaceon the cam 14 or 15 `corre-` sponding to the direction of rotation, thereby causing the lever 16 to'be rocked so as to shift the rod 8| outwardly to effect unseating of the valve of the pilot valve device 88.k

The vent valve mechanism I8 is accordingly operated, in the mannerpreviously described, to cut off the supply of fluidv under pressure from the controll pipe to the brake cylirider |1 and vent fluid under pressure at a rapid rate from the brake cylinder.

Due to the instantaneous and rapid reduction of the pressure in the brake cylinder I1, the wheels of theslipping wheel unit promptly cease to decelerate and begin to accelerate back toward a speed corresponding to car speed before the speed of the Vslipping wheelsisreduced to zero, and thus before the wheels can become locked and slide.

The rotative acceleration of theaxle 43 of Vthe slipping wheel unit at this time is at anabnornitude, to the abnormally rapid rate of deceleration during the Wheel-slip condition. The iiywheel 32 accordingly shifts rotatively from a leading to a lagging position with respecty to the spindle 35 andaxle 43. The roller 19 on the lever 16 thus runs down the inclined cam surface on the cam 14 (or 15) which it engaged during deceleration of the wheel unit and engages and climbs the inclined surface on the other cam 15 (or 14), thus again shifting the rod 8| outwardly in the left-hand direction, as seen in Fig. 3, to again effect unseating of the valve 90 of the pilot valve device 88. v

During the interval that the roller 19 on the lever 16v disengages oneof the cams 14 or 15 and engages the other, the lever 16 is restored to ratus shown in Fig. 1 is traveling under power 75 l its normal position bythe spring 83 through the i l l asseoir medium ofthe rod V8|. With the force lof l"the rod 8| on the plungerVS-T thus momentarily removed, thc spring |95 restores the plunger 8'!4 momentarily `to its-normal position, thus `permittingthe valve Sutobe promptly reseated because of thesubstantially balanced iluid pressure forces `upn the `pressure inthe brake'` cylinder at theV instantthe slipping condition begins. i

' Iflthe pressure in the brake cylinder l1 is reduced to eight pounds per square inchbefore` the slipping lwheel unit attains a speed corref` spondingto vehicle speed, then the vent valve as applied to theilever 9T.

fSuch momentary closure of the valve 90 iswithout consequence, however, lfor the reason that the cycle of `operaftiolr`-1` of` the vent valve mechanism I8 "is carried through automatically, once it is initiated in response to the initial rapid re-v.

duction of the pressure in `the control chamber |38 thereof,` without regard `to `the momentary closure of the valve ,90 of thefpilot valve device when the wheels Qf theslippingwheel unit have accelerated fullyjback to a speed` corresponding to car speed, the wheels are againdecelerated in accordance with `the rate of retarda- `tioncf thecar` at 4the normallow rate, such as four miles per `hour per second, depending upon the degree of brake application. In` such case;

therefore, theiflyewheel 32 again shifts rotatively from a lagging position to a leading position with respect to the axle 43. The lever 'I6 isthus again' i restored toits normal val in which the roller 19 `onthelevejdisengages wheels of thepreviously slipping unit do not again decelerate at more than the normal "rate, the an-` gular displacement of the lever 16 due to coopera-.i

tionwith one or the other of the cams 14 or 15 isiinsuillcient tocause therod 8| to be moved outwardly enough to effect displacement of the plunger 81 of the pilotvalve device irl the left` hand direction out ofitsnormal position. Con-l sequently, the valve 90 in the pilot valve device position duringthe interi mechanism |8-wil1 be restored toits normal condition, in which communication is established through which fluid under` pressure is resupplied` to `the brake cylinder, before the slippingwheel unit reaches aspeed correspondng'tozcar speed. On the other hand, if the vent valve mechanism I8 is restored `toits norn'ial position, inresponse to the reductionof pressure in the brake cylinder, after the slipping wheelsor wheel units have been restored `-to `car speed,cthen `the communication throughwhich iiuid under pressureis resupplied to the brake until suchtime. i i

In any event,.the resupply of iluid under pressure to the brake cylinder |"l is not eiected by the vent Valve mechanism I8 until the slipping wheels have'been restored at least substantially to' a speed'corresponding to car speed. In no case, is the degree of `reapplication of tl'iejbrakes dueto the resupply of Huid under pressure to the brake cylinder likely to cause sliding of the wheels forthereason that noappreciable degree of brake application is exerted `on the Wheels while the wheels are at the low pointcf the speed curve during the slipping cycle. l

If the adhesion `between the car wheels and the `railsis a continuing low value, it is possible that thereapplication of thebrakes on car wheels which previously slipped may cause repeated l slipping of the same wheels or wheel units. `In

88 remains seated thereafter untilsuchtime as the wheels `or wheel units associatedwith the axle 43 again begin to slip.

c Notwithstanding thereseanjng of the valve su" of the pilot valve device 88, the pistonvalve |22 of.` the vent valve mechanism |8 remains in its uppermost position continuing the reductiorrof` the pressure in the brakefcylinderas long as the f control valve |42 remains unseated. The rate of supply of fluid under pressure throughthe choke i |35 from the branch pipe I9 of the control pipe isrelatively small compared to the rate at which uid under pressure is` vented to atmosphere from the chamber |38 pasti the valves |"4 land |42 andthroughthe exhaust port |2|.` Consequently,

the restoration of the valve 9U of the pilot valve` device to its seated position does not in anyway interrupt the cycle of operation of the vent valve mechanism I3 once such operation is initiated.

The time that elapses from the instant that a wheel unit begins toslip to the instant that it is yrestored fully to a speed correspondingtocar i speed is "ordinarily relatively short, beingof the order df one and one-half to two seconds. The

`length oftime required for` the pressure in the brake cylinder to 'be reducedgfrom the pres# sure existing therein at the time slipping of the wheels-begins, to the relatively low pressureot eight pounds per i, square inch,` in responseto operation of` the vent valve mechanism |j8, Vis a variableone` which `maybe longer or shorter than" the duration ofthe .slipping .condition depending such case; however, the wheel-slip detector 22 associated with such wheel units operates repeatedly, `in the manner previously described,` to

reduce the degree of application and then increase nthe degreelof application so that at no time are the wheels permitted to becomelocked and slide.

When fluid under pressure is supplied from the control pipe to the brakecylinder IT under the control of thevent valve mechanism |8` following a slipping condition of,` the` wheels, the pressure in the control pipe tends to reduce cor- 5 respondingly. lDue" to the pressure-maintaining feature of the brake valve |3, however, the pressure inthe control pipe is maintainedin ac` cordance with the position of the brake valve.`

handle notwithstanding the supply of fluid under pressure from thecontrolpipe tothe brake cyl-` inder.` If the operator does not effect a change of; pressure in `the control pipe, therefore, the degree to which the brakes are reapplied on a previously slipping wheel will correspond to that in effect at the timethe slipping condition first occurred. Usually, the operator eiects a reduction in the degree of application of the brakes by c reducing thepressure inthe control pipe as the i car or train reduces in speed, particularlyas it approaches low speed.` In `such case there is less likelihood thatslipping of the wheels will Voccur upon reapplication of the brakes.

The` construction of 4 the wheel-"snpV detecting devices '22 in such a manner that the ily-wheel `32"is`free `to` shift, unresistedlyjrelative to the spindlei35`and axle 43 through a predetermined angle determined by the angle through "which` the roller" 'F9 lon the lever, 'Hi` moves in shifting from lone of thecams, such as'cam V14, tothe cylinder is not established' my present invention. The fact that the flywheel 32 is free to floator shift rotatively at all times in unresisted manner ,through the predetermined angle relative to the axle in the mannerv just pointed out, causes the individual ballsof the ball bearing races 36 to be rotated through at least one complete revolution repeatedly upon slight changes in the rotational speed of the axle 43. As a result, the lubricating grease in the-ball bearing races is constantly active between the contacting surface of the balls and the annular ball retaining elements. Wear on the balls is thus minimized. At the, same time, due to the revolution of the balls through at least one complete revolution, the wear on the balls of the ball bearing races is evenly distributed so as to prevent the balls from attaining an elliptical or egg-shaped form. Obviously, if the true spherical form of the balls is departed from, the friction in the ball bearing races is increased and the sensitivity and the accuracy of the wheel-slip detecting device as a whole isl seriously impaired.

In heretofore known wheelslip detecting devices of the rotary inertia type, the fly-wheel is yieldingly maintained in a certain normal rotative position relative to the driving spindle or shaft thereof by constantly active resilient means and is shifted yieldingly out of such position to a degree corresponding to the rateof change of speed of the driving spindle. total degree of rotative movement of the flyrWheel relative to the driving spindle is so limited that the ily-wheel bearing elements, whether of the ball or roller type, cannot rotate through at least one complete revolution. after a period of time, the balls or rollers are worn unevenly and attain an elliptical or eggshaped form, thus interfering with the sensitivity and the accuracy of the device.

The arrangement which I have providedserves to prevent the uneven wear on ball elements of the ball bearing races and on roller elements of roller bearing races if such bearing races are employed andthus obviates the need for repair or n replacement of the bearing units.

y mospheric pressure. The fluid under pressure in the Ibrake cylinder Il is thus vented to atmosphere by reverse flow back through vent valve 'mechanism I8, control pipe Il and the exhaust port of the brake valve to effect the release of the brakes.

Having now described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A vent valve mechanism for controlling the supply of fluid under pressure to and the release of fluid under pressure from a fluid pressure receiving device, said mechanism 'comprising a valve device effective in one position to establish a communication through which fluid under pressure is supplied to the device and effective in a different position to close said supply communication and establish a communication through which fluid under pressure is ventedr from said device, a control cha'mber chargeable with fluid under pressure, said valve device being operated in response toa predetermined rate of reduction of the pres- In such case, thev Consequently, l

- sure in said chamber from its said Vone positionA to its said different position, valve means effectivel in the said different position of said valve device for establishing communication between said control chamber and said receivin-g device whereby to cause continued reduction of the pressure in theA value for closing said communication to therebyv effect restoration of said valve device to said one position. v

2. A vent valve mechanism comprising a valve device effective in one position to establish a communication through which fluid under pressurey is supplied to a fluid pressure receiving device and effective in a different position toclose .said supply communication and establish a communication through which fluid under pressure is vent,-y ed from the fluid pressure receiving device, a control chamber 'charged with fluid under pressure upon the supply of fluid under pressure to said fluid pressure receiving device, said valve device being operated in response to thel reduction of the pressure in the control chamber at a predetermined rate from said one position to its said different position, Valve means effective in the said different position of said valve de,- vice for establishing a communication Vbetween said control chamber and the fluid pressure receiving device to cause continued reduction of the pressure of the fluid in said control chamber thereafter in accordance with-the pressure reduction in said fluid pressure receiving device to maintain said valve device inits said different position, and means responsivev to the reduction: .of the pressure in said fluid pressure receiving device below a certain Value for closing said communication to thereby cause recharging of said control chamber to restore said valve device to its said one position.

3. Valve mechanism for controlling the sup-y ply of fluid under pressure to and the release of fluid under pressure from a fluid pressure receiving device, said valve mechanism comprising a valve device effective in its normal position to establish a communication through which .fluid under pressure is supplied to the device and effective in a'different position to closesaid suplply communication and establish a venting communication through which fluid under pressure is vented from said device, a piston for operating said valve device subject on one side to the pressure of fluid being supplied to said device and on the opposite side to fluid at a corresponding.

pressure, said piston being responsive to a momentary reduction of the pressure on the said opposite side at a rate exceeding a certain rate for operating said valvedevice from its said nor-l mal position to its said different position, a\nor-.

mally seated valve arranged in such a manner as to be unseated by said piston, when it operates the said valve device from its said one to its said dif- Y the piston in response to reduction of the pres-` sure in said device at a rate exceeding said certain rate so as to maintain a fluid pressure force active on said piston effective to maintain said valve device in its said different position, a second valve, movable abutment means subject tot t 2,366,044 l the pressure of the `fluid in the said pressure receiving device, a spring active on said abutment in opposition to the pressure of the` fluid acting on said abutment and effective to operate said l second valve to a closed positionwhen the pressure of the fluidin said receiving device reduces below a certain value, said second valve being effective in its closed position to terminate further reduction `in the pressure of the fluid on said opposite side orsaid piston `wherebyto permit an increase of such pressure and a consequent restoration ofthe `valve device to its said normal position. 1 l

`4. Valve mechanism for controlling the supply of fluid under pressure to and the release of `iuid under pressure from a uid pressure receiv- `to the pressure receiving device to a second position closing the said supply communication and establishing a venting communication through which fluid under pressure is Vented from said pressure receiving device at a rate exceeding said certain rate, valve means operative by the said valve device in its traverse to its said second position for establishing a connection between said `control chamber and the receiving device and `thereby causing the pressure of the iiuid in said control chamber to continue to reduceert a rate exceeding said certain rate corresponding to the rate of reduction of the pressure in said receiving device notwithstanding cessation of the initial momentary reduction of pressure in the control chamber, and pressure actuated valve means responsive to a re-duction of` the pressure in said` p receiving device to below a certain value for ter` minating further reduction ofthe pressure in the control chamber and causing an increase oi the l pressure in said control chamber effective torestore the valve device to itssaid normal position.

JOSEPH C. MCCUNE. y 

